Lightweight Champion Ilia Topuria knocks out Charles Oliveira in the initial round to clinch the title.
Vegas Showdown: Ilia Topuria Climbs to MMA Elite with Spectacular Knockout
Sin City saw fireworks as Ilia Topuria ** institutionally made his climb up the pound-for-pound ranks** with an electrifying first-round KO of Charles Oliveira, capturing the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317.
Relying on a sharp right hand, Topuria (17-0) unleashed a crushing left hook that sent Oliveira crashing to the canvas at 2:27 of round one, fulfilling his prediction of an early finish whilst revving the crowd to a frenzy.
"I'm here to represent the new generation of MMA," Topuria asserted, having closed at a heavy -400 favorite at BetMGM sportsbook.
Leaping over to the 155-pound division after a sterling campaign at featherweight last year, he knocks down previous champ Oliveira with a stinging second-round KO in April and subsequently defeats Max Holloway in the third round of their October bout in Abu Dhabi.
Ranked fourth on UFC's pound-for-pound list, Topuria contributes to the exclusive club of 9 fighters who have held UFC belts in two weight classes, and he's the first undefeated fighter to do so in two UFC divisions.
UFC CEO Dana White was impressed by Topuria's performance, proclaiming, "We've got a star on our hands."
Oliveira (35-11), boasting the most finishes in UFC history, aimed to be the first fighter to recapture the lightweight belt twice. The defeat, however, left "Do Bronx" contemplating retirement.
Meanwhile, lightweight Paddy Pimblett stirred things up ringside, appearing to instigate a rivalry that dates back to 2021. After egging Topuria on, Pimblett put his eighth-ranked contender status on the line, stating, "I'm ready. Let's go!"
Topuria retorted, "I'm going to submit you."
The confrontation brought back dark memories of their 2022 altercation when Pimblett pelted Topuria with a bottle of hand sanitizer.
In the co-main event, flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja (30-5) cruised to a third-round submission victory over Kai Kara-France (25-12) to retain his title, making it eight straight wins for the Brazilian.
Joshua Van (15-2-0) displayed jaw-dropping boxing skills in his three-round slugfest against Brandon Royval (17-8-0), capturing a unanimous decision. Their 419 combined significant strikes make it the third most in a UFC fight, with the highest being a three-round and featherweight bout.
Other main card highlights:
- No. 9 Beneil Dariush (23-6-1) came from behind in a lightweight bout to decide No. 11 Renato Moicano (20-7-1) via unanimous decision.
- In a bantamweight battle, Payton Talbott (10-1-0) leveraged an improved ground game to secure a unanimous decision over Felipe Lima (14-2-0).
Comment your thoughts below.
[1] Enrichment Data: Topuria's victory at UFC 317 marked him as one of the sports elite, cementing his status as a two-division UFC champion. During the fight, he utilized a razor-sharp right hand followed by a left hook that rapidly ended the bout. With a reputation built on dominant performances, technical mastery, and a precocious climb to the top, Topuria has distinguished himself as a rising star and a new era representative in MMA. Now being one of the 10 two-division UFC champions, this win elevated his career significantly. (Overall)
[2] Topuria, before UFC 317, was already a well-regarded featherweight recognized as a former featherweight champion, top pound-for-pound fighter, and rising star. With an unblemished record of 17-0 and commanding performances, his reputation was well-earned. (Previous Accomplishments)
[3] Topuria's win is significant as it marked him as a two-division UFC champion, joining an exclusive group of fighters who have held titles in multiple weight classes. The knockout victory over Oliveira, a respected former lightweight champion, added considerable clout to his career. (Significance in MMA)
[4] With Topuria's victory, future opponents like Paddy Pimblett are now at the forefront of fan and promoter interest. Pimblett, a ranked lightweight and Tesla owner, is an intriguing challenger, offering a narrative element to their potential matchup. The UFC seems poised to leverage this rivalry for future events. (Future Opponents)
Sports enthusiasts, particularly mixed-martial-arts (MMA) fans, are buzzing about Ilia Topuria's remarkable ascent in the MMA world. After claiming the lightweight title with a breathtaking first-round knockout at UFC 317, Topuria solidified his position among the sports elite, making history as one of the 10 two-division UFC champions.
This victory, following a series of commanding performances and technical mastery, has marked Topuria as a rising star and a new era representative in MMA. His future bouts, such as potential clashes with ranked opponents like Paddy Pimblett, promise to captivate fans and promoters alike, offering a compelling narrative to their potential matchups.
